Keeping On: Part 11 - Revelations

Disclaimer: Firefly, Serenity, and all related characters are copyright 2002-2005 Mutant Enemy, Inc., Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. This is a work of fanfiction. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Nine years ago…

“Look, it’s nothing personal, Prince.” A man with reddish-blond hair was saying.

“Yes, it is! It’s very personal, gorramit!” Prince protested heavily.

“Oh, come on, Princey-boy!” A woman with cropped red hair laughed. “He’s just having one over you!”

“It’s not funny, Hammer!” The man called Prince protested again.

“Yes, it is!” Another man insisted, smoothly putting his arm around Hammer’s shoulder before she smacked him away. “It’s hilarious!”

“Aries, back me up on this!” Prince beseeched the dark-haired woman who was smiling widely.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to go with Leaf on this one, Bao bei.” She said, holding back her laughter for his sake.

“Hussy.” Prince muttered.

“It’s agreed then!” Leaf said cheerfully. “Face it, Prince, there are good pilots, and then, well…there’s you.” He clapped Prince on the back and looked at the rest of the group.

“So, we have our orders yet? I mean, it’s been two days since we graduated. Surely they have something for us to do.”

“Barclay’s supposed to address us tomorrow at the 0800 assembly.”

“How the hell did you find that out, Hopper?” Hammer asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Oh, I was eavesdropping.” Hopper said, unashamed. “It’s a character flaw of mine, one that I like tremendously.”

“Shiny.” Leaf said. “This is going to be great.”

“You seem awfully sure about that, Leaf.” Aries commented.

“It’s us, Aries.” Leaf said. “Nothing’s going to be able to break us.”

“Let’s not get too cocky, dong ma?” Prince asked.

“That’s right.” Hopper agreed. “We have to make it through this so you and Aries can get married and have lots of sex and babies. Preferably in a plac